Karachi Mayor Cruises on E-Bike Without Helmet as Bikers Face Rs. 10,000 Challans

Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab came under criticism on Friday after arriving at the Sindh Assembly on an e-bike without wearing a helmet, even as the city continues to enforce hefty fines against motorcyclists for the same violation.

Footage circulating online showed the mayor riding the electric motorcycle into the assembly premises without protective headgear.

Mayor #Karachi normalizing trend of not wearing helmet in a city where citizens have to pay 10k challan for not wearing it. Kia jokers hain ye log🤦‍♀️ pic.twitter.com/mu9IxnGRMs

— Amber Danish (@amberdanishh) May 8, 2026

The video quickly drew attention because it surfaced at a time when the provincial government is actively implementing its e-challan system, under which citizens can face a Rs. 10,000 fine for riding without a helmet.

Speaking to reporters after arriving at the assembly, Wahab said riding a bike was “not difficult” and recalled that he used to ride a bicycle in childhood. He added that he had come to attend a meeting.

The mayor also admitted that while he holds a driving license for a car, he does not have a motorcycle license. He said he would now buy a helmet and apply for a motorcycle license.

The incident has raised fresh questions about enforcement and accountability, particularly at a time when traffic rules are being pushed more aggressively on the public.

Sindh launched its automated e-challan system in October last year as part of the Traffic Regulation and Citation System, or TRACS.

The system replaced manual ticketing with an AI-assisted mechanism that uses CCTV cameras to detect violations such as over-speeding, signal breaking, and helmet non-compliance.

Around 1,200 cameras have been installed across Karachi under the initiative. However, the system has remained controversial since its launch, with critics arguing that the city still lacks the infrastructure, traffic management capacity, and road conditions needed for fair implementation.